Vitamin C Supplements in Lafayette, IN

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential nutrient that helps in the growth and repair of tissues in your body as well as in the production of collagen, an important protein used to create skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. Vitamin C is necessary for healing wounds, as well as for repairing and maintaining bones and teeth. As a water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C does not naturally occur in the body, and rather, you normally get the vitamin C you need by adopting a balanced diet which incorporates vitamin C, such as foods like citrus fruits, broccoli and tomatoes.

If you become the victim of a vitamin C deficiency, you may suffer a variety of worrisome problems including:

Poor immune function

Increased susceptibility to bruising and slow wound healing

Swollen, bleeding or inflamed gums

Rough, red skin

Dry or splitting hair and nails

Fatigue

Unexplained weight gain

Frequent nose bleeds

Swollen and painful joints

Depression

An extreme vitamin C deficiency is considered scurvy, a disease with historical tracings to wayward sea voyagers (such as pirates) whose diet and lifestyle led to a dearth of vitamin C. In instances of scurvy, sufferers experience general weakness, anemia, gum disease and skin hemorrhages.

Often, to improve vitamin C levels, nutritional counseling is suggested to help recommend vitamin C-rich foods to incorporate into the diet. When dietary intervention to counteract a deficiency in vitamin C fails, however, vitamin C supplements are available to restore your body's ascorbic acid levels more rapidly. To schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in Lafayette that can discuss and recommend specific vitamin C supplements to you, call (765) 259-0545 or contact Charles Turner MD online.

Vitamin C Benefits

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in certain foods, drinks and dietary supplements. Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C, so it is essential to consume it to maintain healthy levels. Drinking your daily orange juice, or adding oranges to your daily fruit regimen, can help boost your body's natural function. But why? It traces its power from its vitamin C content. As an antioxidant, vitamin C has the potential to protect against free radicals as well as to promote brain health. A number of additional vitamin C benefits have been recognized by the medical community, including its potential to:

Vitamin C Supplements: When Diet Doesn't Cut It

If you find dietary measures are not sufficient in achieving healthy vitamin C levels, vitamin C supplements are available and can be discussed with your healthcare provider. Natural vitamin C supplements are available and come in many forms including tablets, capsules, chewables, powdered crystalline, effervescent and liquids. Supplements with lowered or buffered potency are also available which can accommodate an irritable stomach or those who are prone to heartburn.

Typically, vitamin C supplements come in doses ranging from 25-1,000mg. These supplements are usually to be taken 2-3 times daily, with meals, depending on the dosage, while some studies suggest a 250-500mg vitamin C supplement to be taken twice a day. The recommended daily intake for vtamin C, according to the National Academy of Sciences, is as follows:

Pediatric

Birth - 6 months: 40 mg (Adequate intake)

Infants 6 - 12 months: 50 mg (Adequate intake)

Children 1 - 3 years: 15 mg

Children 4 - 8 years: 25 mg

Children 9 - 13 years: 45 mg

Adolescent girls 14 - 18 years: 65 mg

Adolescent boys 14 - 18 years: 75 mg

Adult

Men over 18 years: 90 mg

Women over 18 years: 75 mg

Pregnant women 14 - 18 years: 80 mg

Pregnant women over 18 years: 85 mg

Breastfeeding women 14 - 18 years: 115 mg

Breastfeeding women over 18 years: 120 mg

It is important to note that not all vitamin C supplements are made of the same quality, deriving from a variety of sources. It is thus equally important to discuss vitamin C supplementation with your healthcare provider, who can recommend proper supplements for patients on a case-by-case basis. Your healthcare provider can also discuss variables such as if you are a smoker or have a preexisting health condition as they relate to your recommended intake. For instance, if you have lower levels of vitamin C, your recommended dosage will likely be higher. Doses will also likely change if you are suffering an illness like the cold.

To schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in Lafayette who can discus vitamin C benefits with you as well as your recommended dosing, call (765) 259-0545 or contact Charles Turner MD online.